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"Sure," he says, his voice relieved "I, uh, figure we have sos to talk about Are the ’rents home?"

"My mother’s probably passed out in her bedrooives her an understanding look

They go inside There is no sign of Janie’s mother, except for an empty fifth of vodka on the kitchen counter and a sink full of dishes Janie throws the bottle in the trash "Sorry about the mess," she says in a low voice She is embarrassed The house was spotless when she left it yesterday et about it We can clean it up later, if you want"

Janie waves her hand at the living room "Well This is it," she says

"You sleep out here, huh?" He isn’t teasing

"No, I have a bedroom Come" She shows hilances at the bed, and then abruptly turns around and they walk back to the living room

"Hungry?"

"My sto" Janie searches the kitchen cupboards and refrigerator and corief," she says finally "I’ot nothin’"

He’s been watching her, she realizes

"Maybe we could get a pizza"

"Sounds good"

"You want to go out?"

Janie sighs and scratches her head "Not really"

"Good Let’s order delivery"

Janie finds the number for Fred’s Pizza and Grinders and orders "Thirty minutes"

Cabel tosses a twenty-dollar bill on the coffee table and sits down

"Cabe"

"Yes"

"What is that?"

"It’s twenty dollars, Hannagan"

Janie sighs "Let’s be truthful with each other here, mmmkay?"

"Of course Our whole relationship is based on it Right?" He’s ses as the words hang oins "I have a lot of explaining to do But I know you don’t have any more money to spare than I do So how about I pay for this?"